Bill to establish electric vehicle charging rebate passes Delaware House committee, heads to floor vote
DOVER— As Delaware prepares for the implementation of zero-emission vehicle regulations, a bill that incentivizes the purchase and installation of electric-vehicle charging stations was sent to …
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Already a member? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
Please log in to continue |
Bill to establish electric vehicle charging rebate passes Delaware House committee, heads to floor vote
By DOVER — As Delaware prepares for the implementation of zero-emission vehicle regulations, a bill that incentivizes the purchase and installation of electric-vehicle charging stations was sent to its next step in the legislative process.
Sponsored by Rep. Sophie Phillips, D-Bear, House Substitute 2 for House Bill 13 would establish a rebate program through the Sustainable Energy Utility that allows Delawareans to apply for financial assistance to buy electric-vehicle charging equipment.
The proposal would cover up to 90% of purchase and installation costs for low-income applicants, which is classified as individuals whose household income is up to 300% of the federal poverty level.
For Delawareans who are not low income, the program provides up to 50% of purchase and installation costs.
“We know that 80% of charging happens at home, according to the (U.S.) Department of Energy. So this is helpful for people who … want to charge at home,” Rep. Phillips said during the bill’s hearing in the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee on Tuesday.
The bill, which has been substituted twice since its introduction last May, does not carry a fiscal note, as the measure would be funded through Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative monies.
After being substituted with changes Feb. 29 and March 14, the legislation removed the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s role in administering the rebate program.
Costs that would be covered under the legislation include the equipment itself and accompanying operational technology, labor, site preparation and design, although maintenance and repair costs, and electricity to supply the charger would not be subsidized.
During the bill’s committee hearing, Drew Slater, executive director of Energize Delaware, stated that, costs for the purchase and installation of electric-vehicle charging equipment are dependent on the capacity and location of individuals’ electric panel boxes.
Typically, total costs amount to about $1,500, he said, but there have been instances where prices range from between $500 and $750.
“As we continue to push electrification of vehicles, it’s important that we have that infrastructure in place in the homes. Eventually, the building codes could change, where its mandated similar to the way Maryland is, but… all the existing homes are not. So we need to do something,” Mr. Slater said.
Members of the public also testified in favor of the proposal, including Dustyn Thompson, president of the Delaware Sierra Club chapter. During his testimony, Mr. Thompson emphasized how the rebate program can help update older homes that are not retrofitted for a charging station and does not hamper private investments in public charging spaces.
“As formulated right now, this allows a lot of flexibility in the program to help align that with funding, resources, demand and market conditions, which is really important,” he said.
Following the public comment portion of the hearing, lawmakers voted to release the bill from committee, sending it to the ready list for consideration on the House floor.
